I really can't even explain it anymore. Maybe Jay Wright just is this poor of a late-game coach - but it feels like so much more. No lead is safe, apparently. After blowing a 19-point lead against Marquette (AT HOME), Villanova somehow upped itself last night at The Well when they blew a 20-point lead to Notre Dame.
They need Maurice Sutton of all people to save the day and give them a chance to win in overtime. But they couldn't come through in crunch time, as has been the case for the better part of 3 seasons now.
No, this Villanova team is not particularly deep, especially with both Maalik Wayns and James Bell out injured. But consider that Notre Dame played pretty much 5 players for the entire game, save a few cameos. And they're missing their best player in Tim Abromaitis. So that should be no excuse for Villanova.
It was my first game of the season that I've attended, and I already want to forget it. There are good signs on this team. Dominic Cheek had a good game, and JayVaughn Pinkston had yet another monster night. And Mo Sutton? Earlier this season it was a foregone conclusion that he shouldn't be invited back for a 5th season. Show me anyone suggesting that these days after he answered the bell yet again when given the opportunity.
But it's hard to stay positive about the future when the same old things keep happening and this team can't figure it out. It's been 3 years now of blown leads. I'm almost numb to it.
At the end of the day, it's just another heartbreaking loss in a few heartbreaking seasons.